“Clair de Lune” by the French Impressionist composer Claude Debussy is one of the defining pieces of classical piano music. The piece is instantly recognizable, evocative, and powerful. Conjuring images of the luminescence of the moon, the subtleties of the night sky, and a strong feeling of melancholic nostalgia, “Clair de Lune” is a must-learn …
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Transposition is often shrouded in mystery, especially to piano players who haven’t been playing very long. Anyone who studies music theory will learn how to transpose music. People who play transposing instruments such as alto saxophone, clarinet or bass are already familiar with the concept. If you’ve ever bought sheet music online, you may have …
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If you’ve ever asked yourself “what is harmony in music” this is going to help you to understand more about how harmony in music works, which will in turn help you to improve your piano playing. Harmony is a vital part of any piece of music. The simplest definition of harmony in music is that …
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The piano keyboard holds many beautiful and interesting patterns. The keyboard can also look a little overwhelming for those who are just starting out! Fortunately, you can sound like a great pianist just by playing a few keys. In this newsletter, we will explore the black keys on the piano. We will first learn the …
Sound amazing just playing the black keys on piano! Read More »
Are you an adult student who perhaps played piano as a child and are interested in starting again? Deciding to play the piano again is one of the best decisions you can make. Not only are there myriad benefits in practicing an instrument for your mental and creative health, practicing piano is just plain fun! …
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The eighth note and sixteenth note are two examples of subdivision. Subdivided rhythms are rhythms that happen inside of 1 beat, as opposed to the quarter note, half note, and whole note which happen across more than 1 beat. Subdivisions have their own special means of counting and since there are more notes written on …
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You know a smash hit when you hear it. Smash hits are the songs you hear on the radio that make you want to sing at the top of your lungs. They are the songs everyone at the party knows. And they inspire countless people to begin playing musical instruments! Wouldn’t it be fun if …
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Jazz theory refers to a particular area of music theory that relates to the chord progression, scales, melodies, and rhythms primarily used in jazz music. It uses the same tools as more traditional music theory, but can be applied in a generally more free-form way to analyze and communicate more abstract concepts. Jazz music can …
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Finding the appropriate music for your skills level and interest is a key part to progressing on the piano as an adult student. However, it can be difficult to find the proper music to practice when you are just starting out. Some music may seem too easy and boring while other music might feel too …
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Many of the most famous musical stars of the last century are self-taught musicians. Oftentimes, self-taught musicians exhibit a higher degree of “implicit understanding.” That is, they are able to play and perform music on their instruments often without fully understanding the music theory behind it.(1) Additionally, this implicit understanding can help to relieve performance …
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In the enchanting world of music, the augmented chord stands out as a unique and mystical triad, distinct from the common major and minor chords. It captivates with its unconventional structure, where the fifth note is raised by a half step, creating a sound that transports listeners to a realm of sonic intrigue and wonder. …
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The diminished chord is one of the most enigmatic and often misunderstood sounds in music theory. To many people, it sounds quite dissonant and unattractive. However, the diminished chord is a very useful and beautiful harmony when used properly. The diminished chord is inside of many larger chords and it has interesting intervallic properties that …
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